Are you interested in developing new, innovative methods to automate acoustic detection and classification of sounds from marine animals? Do you want to help enable effective conservation and management actions through individual-based and real-time monitoring of animal sounds? Then we invite you to apply for a part-time 1-year AC-Bachelor position in the Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 1-year position starting 15 September, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 10 hours of work each week, with at least one day a week on campus.
Job description
The computational biologist will be expected to:
Your profile
Applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree in physics, computer science, computational biology, or similar fields.
The applicant is expected to have demonstrated experience working with state-of-the-art deep learning approaches for detection and/or classification of bioacoustic signals. Extensive experience with programming (Matlab, R, Python) including GPU programming is required, and familiarity with edge-based machine learning (particularly sound event detection), open-set classification, and individual identification of animals is beneficial. Familiarity with quantitative acoustics and with collecting acoustic data in the field is also beneficial.
The applicant is expected to have good time management and project management skills and be able to plan and implement programming and computational tasks to reach research objectives within project deadlines.
Academic writing and presentation experience is beneficial. The candidate will be expected to document all parts of their work appropriately for reproducibility, contribute to project report writing and presentations and to contribute to research papers.
The applicant will be collaborating with a variety of international colleagues. The ability to communicate fluently about research approaches, data, and results in English is critical. The working language in the Department is English.
Who we are
You will be working within the marine mammal section of the Department of Ecoscience (AU Ecoscience - Marine Mammal Research) and under the supervision of Senior Scientist Frants Havmand Jensen (https://frantsjensen.weebly.com/).
The unit conducts research on marine mammals, examining their biology, prevalence, and factors impacting their survival and population growth. Using aerial surveys, telemetry data, and health information, we analyze the effects of human disturbances on individuals and populations. Our work includes national monitoring of marine mammals and underwater noise, and we actively contribute to the development of management initiatives on a national and international scale. As the marine environment faces growing human impacts like fishing, construction noise, ship traffic, chemicals, and climate change, understanding the interactions between factors affecting animal behavior and health becomes crucial.
Current projects that you will be contributing to includes collaborative development of algorithms for an acoustic buoy using convolutional neural networks for detection and telemetry of underwater sound events, dolphin population monitoring using individually distinctive signature whistles; and accelerating processing of acoustic tag data.
What we offer
The Department offers a vibrant research environment with longstanding traditions for collaboration with national and international partners from many different sectors. The working environment at the Department is based on teamwork and close working relations. The Department has a strong work-life balance policy and seeks a good gender and age balance. Read more about the services available when relocating to Aarhus University at www.au.dk/work
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience.
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Senior Scientist Frants Havmand Jensen, [email protected].
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 3 August 2026.
Formalities and salary range
Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxationand the Confederation of Professional Unions.
Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 1-year position starting 15 September, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 10 hours of work each week, with at least one day a week on campus.
Job description
The computational biologist will be expected to:
- Lead the development of acoustic detection and classification algorithms for marine mammals.
- Evaluate algorithm performance under real-life operational conditions, ensuring accuracy and efficiency, and identify ways of improving performance.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of marine biologists, engineers and data scientists.
- Lead and/or contribute to reports and scientific publications
- Advance marine mammal research and conservation efforts.
Your profile
Applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree in physics, computer science, computational biology, or similar fields.
The applicant is expected to have demonstrated experience working with state-of-the-art deep learning approaches for detection and/or classification of bioacoustic signals. Extensive experience with programming (Matlab, R, Python) including GPU programming is required, and familiarity with edge-based machine learning (particularly sound event detection), open-set classification, and individual identification of animals is beneficial. Familiarity with quantitative acoustics and with collecting acoustic data in the field is also beneficial.
The applicant is expected to have good time management and project management skills and be able to plan and implement programming and computational tasks to reach research objectives within project deadlines.
Academic writing and presentation experience is beneficial. The candidate will be expected to document all parts of their work appropriately for reproducibility, contribute to project report writing and presentations and to contribute to research papers.
The applicant will be collaborating with a variety of international colleagues. The ability to communicate fluently about research approaches, data, and results in English is critical. The working language in the Department is English.
Who we are
You will be working within the marine mammal section of the Department of Ecoscience (AU Ecoscience - Marine Mammal Research) and under the supervision of Senior Scientist Frants Havmand Jensen (https://frantsjensen.weebly.com/).
The unit conducts research on marine mammals, examining their biology, prevalence, and factors impacting their survival and population growth. Using aerial surveys, telemetry data, and health information, we analyze the effects of human disturbances on individuals and populations. Our work includes national monitoring of marine mammals and underwater noise, and we actively contribute to the development of management initiatives on a national and international scale. As the marine environment faces growing human impacts like fishing, construction noise, ship traffic, chemicals, and climate change, understanding the interactions between factors affecting animal behavior and health becomes crucial.
Current projects that you will be contributing to includes collaborative development of algorithms for an acoustic buoy using convolutional neural networks for detection and telemetry of underwater sound events, dolphin population monitoring using individually distinctive signature whistles; and accelerating processing of acoustic tag data.
What we offer
The Department offers a vibrant research environment with longstanding traditions for collaboration with national and international partners from many different sectors. The working environment at the Department is based on teamwork and close working relations. The Department has a strong work-life balance policy and seeks a good gender and age balance. Read more about the services available when relocating to Aarhus University at www.au.dk/work
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience.
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Senior Scientist Frants Havmand Jensen, [email protected].
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 3 August 2026.
Formalities and salary range
Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxationand the Confederation of Professional Unions.
Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.